Scientists reveal 'superbug's' artillery

Description

Dr Iain Hay from Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute

Published recently in mBio, and with media coverage including reports on PhysOrg, ICT Today , Bright Surf and DotMed,a study led by Monash BDI's Professor Trevor Lithgow and Dr Iain Hay has created the first high-resolution structure depicting a crucial part of the ‘superbug’ Pseudomonas aeruginosa, classified by the WHO as having the highest level threat to human health. The image, developed using the Titan Krios microscope, identifies the ‘nanomachine’ used by the highly virulent bacteria to secrete toxins, pointing the way for drug design targeting this.

Period

19 Oct 2017 → 20 Oct 2017

Media coverage

5

Media coverage

Title

Researchers Reveal How Superbug Secretes It’s Toxin

Degree of recognition

International

Media name/outlet

Technology Networks

Media type

Web

Country

Australia

Date

20/10/17

Description

Monash University’s Biomedicine Discovery Institute (BDI) researchers have created the first high-resolution structure depicting a crucial part of the ‘superbug’ Pseudomonas aeruginosa, classified by the WHO as having the highest level threat to human health. The image identifies the ‘nanomachine’ used by the highly virulent bacteria to secrete toxins, pointing the way for drug design targeting this.

P. aeruginosa is one of a number of bacteria developing an alarming resistance to multiple drugs, raising concerns worldwide about the emergence of pan-resistant organisms.

Its virulence is due largely to the ability of the bacteria to secrete a suite of toxins and enzymes infecting the host environment.

Monash University's Biomedicine Discovery Institute (BDI) researchers have created the first high-resolution structure depicting a crucial part of the 'superbug' Pseudomonas aeruginosa, classified by the WHO as having the highest level threat to human health. The image identifies the 'nanomachine' used by the highly virulent bacteria to secrete toxins, pointing the way for drug design targeting this.

P. aeruginosa is one of a number of bacteria developing an alarming resistance to multiple drugs, raising concerns worldwide about the emergence of pan-resistant organisms.

Its virulence is due largely to the ability of the bacteria to secrete a suite of toxins and enzymes infecting the host environment.

In a paper published this week in the online journal mBio, BDI researchers investigated a protein nanomachine on the surface of the bacterial cells responsible for the secretion of these toxins. The nanomachine, called the Type II secretion system, is responsible for the secretion of P. aureginosa's most toxic virulence factor, Exotoxin A.

Monash University's Biomedicine Discovery Institute (BDI) researchers have created the first high-resolution structure depicting a crucial part of the 'superbug' Pseudomonas aeruginosa, classified by the WHO as having the highest level threat to human health. The image identifies the 'nanomachine' used by the highly virulent bacteria to secrete toxins, pointing the way for drug design targeting this.

Monash University's Biomedicine Discovery Institute (BDI) researchers have created the first high-resolution structure depicting a crucial part of the 'superbug' Pseudomonas aeruginosa, classified by the WHO as having the highest level threat to human health. The image identifies the 'nanomachine' used by the highly virulent bacteria to secrete toxins, pointing the way for drug design targeting this.

Monash University's Biomedicine Discovery Institute (BDI) researchers have created the first high-resolution structure depicting a crucial part of the 'superbug' Pseudomonas aeruginosa, classified by the WHO as having the highest level threat to human health. The image identifies the 'nanomachine' used by the highly virulent bacteria to secrete toxins, pointing the way for drug design targeting this.